CVE-2022-32154 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2022
Dashboards in Splunk Enterprise versions before 9.0 might let an attacker inject risky search commands into a form token when the token is used in a query in a cross-origin request. The result bypasses SPL safeguards for risky commands. See New capabilities can limit access to some custom and potentially risky commands (https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/9.0.0/Security/SPLsafeguards#New_capabilities_can_limit_access_to_some_custom_and_potentially_risky_commands) for more information. Note that the attack is browser-based and an attacker cannot exploit it at will.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-32154 represents a cross-site scripting and command injection weakness in Splunk Enterprise versions prior to 9.0, specifically affecting dashboard functionality and form token handling. This issue stems from improper validation of user-supplied input within form tokens that are subsequently utilized in cross-origin requests. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious search commands into dashboard forms, effectively bypassing the Security Configuration Language (SCL) safeguards that are designed to prevent execution of potentially dangerous SPL commands. The vulnerability manifests when a form token containing unescaped or improperly sanitized user input is processed within a query context that executes in a cross-origin environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious form token that includes risky SPL commands, which are then executed when the token is processed in a cross-origin request scenario. This represents a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the browser-based nature of the vulnerability, where the malicious commands can be injected through web interfaces and executed within the context of a user's session. The attack is classified as a form of command injection that specifically targets Splunk's search processing language, allowing for execution of commands that would normally be restricted by the platform's security mechanisms. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as Cross-site Scripting and CWE-94 as Improper Control of Generation of Code, with implications for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-32154 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary SPL commands with the privileges of the affected user. This capability allows for potential data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and further lateral movement within the Splunk environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity of Splunk's security model by allowing bypass of built-in safeguards that are intended to prevent execution of potentially dangerous search commands. Organizations utilizing older Splunk Enterprise versions are particularly vulnerable as the mitigation capabilities introduced in Splunk 9.0 specifically address this issue through enhanced token validation and cross-origin request handling. The browser-based nature of the attack means that exploitation requires user interaction, typically through phishing or social engineering tactics, making this vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against without proper user education and security awareness programs.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-32154 primarily focus on upgrading to Splunk Enterprise version 9.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced form token validation and improved cross-origin request handling. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security assessments, monitoring for anomalous dashboard usage patterns, and enforcement of strict access controls for dashboard creation and modification. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering cross-origin requests that may contain malicious form tokens. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, with potential lateral movement and privilege escalation capabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing Splunk's new capabilities for limiting access to custom and risky commands as outlined in the official documentation to further reduce the attack surface. Regular patch management processes and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure comprehensive protection against exploitation attempts.